Take a Bite of the Apple

A is for apple: an appealing fruit that's attractive, appetizing and available all around us. And they're harvested in the fall, making the apples you buy this time of year very fresh.

"Studies show that the nutrients and fiber in apples have whole-body health benefits, from better digestion to lower cholesterol," says Karen Huntzinger, a registered dietitian with Salem Hospital. The meat of the apple contains soluble fiber. The skin, with its insoluble fiber, has added benefits. Fresh apples also offer a good dose of vitamin C.

Huntzinger offers these tips to entice kids and grown-ups to eat more apples:

• Chop them up for salads.
• Put fresh or dehydrated apples in cereals.
• Add apples to muffins, stuffing and pancakes.
• Put peanut butter on apples for a healthy and satisfying snack.
• Bake an apple with brown sugar and raisins in the center, with a bit of butter to add richness.